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NOW CLOSED Talk to Aldi about shopping for Christmas bargains and be in with a chance of winning a £100 voucher

274 replies

TheOtherHelenMumsnet · 06/11/2012 16:43

Aldi are gearing up for Christmas with loads of bargains on their website - they'd love Mumsnetters to check out what's on offer then come back to this thread and give their feedback. Please visit the website here.

Are you an Aldi shopper already? If so, are you planning to do your full Xmas shop there, or will you pick up specific bits and pieces from there? What's the best bargain you've ever picked up from Aldi?

If you've never shopped at Aldi before, why? Is there anything on the website that has convinced you to give it a go?

Also, Aldi would love to hear your top tips on how to bag a Christmas bargain, or any other genius money-saving tips you have, so please do share here.

Everyone who posts their comments on this thread will be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 voucher to spend in store.

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw
MNHQ

OP posts:
flamingtoaster · 08/11/2012 21:55

I only shop in Aldi when we are over in that part of town. Having looked at the website I think I'll have to make a special trip though for the stollen - great price - and some of the other Christmas treats. I'm also tempted by some of the meats - I didn't realize Aldi did free range turkeys, for example.

My tip for saving money at Christmas is to start with cards and wrapping paper in the January sales and pick up what you can via sales and special offers during the year. Do not go mad and buy too much food at Christmas - you are not stocking up for a siege - just a few days!

Elkieb · 08/11/2012 22:02

Hello, this will be my first aldi Christmas. We're off to my mums so are in charge of pudding. My husband loves all German food so is very excited by the German sweets available on the 15th. I'll be buying Christmas pudding and the specially selected apple pie which is amazing. I love the iPhone app and plan to get stuff from the 'aisle of wonder' when the budget allows. I am a happy customer Grin

ouryve · 08/11/2012 22:14

I don't think I've set foot in an Aldi for over a decade.

Some of the meat looks interesting. I tend to buy higher welfare emat where possible and noticed there's an option of a free range bronze turkey. I can't say whether or not I think it's competitive, since there's no weight given and I haven't seen how much other shops are charging this year. Our nearest Aldi shares a small car park with a TX Maxx and you have to get there first thing to get a space, so it would have to be really good to tempt me.

In terms of keeping costs down for Christmas, I buy freezable trimmings, or the ingredients for them on multisavers in November. Spending a quiet November evening making a big batch of pigs in blankets is a lot less hassle than doing it on the day, or even the day before - it can even be relaxing with the kitchen radio blasting away and no pressure. It also means I can use better quality sausages and bacon than what is usually found in the ready made ones.

YoYoYoMrWhite · 08/11/2012 22:20

I would love to shop at Aldi more but it is too far away.
When I do force ask my mum to take me I've always liked the produce and found it to be good value.

HappySunflower · 08/11/2012 22:22

Yes- I already shop at Aldi
I will do most of my Christmas shop there, and have already started!
Best bargain....nappies!
I scour the vouchercodes website and also the money saving threads here on Mumsnet

garlicbaguette · 08/11/2012 22:41

Are you an Aldi shopper already?
Yes, I'm an addict!

If so, are you planning to do your full Xmas shop there, or will you pick up specific bits and pieces from there?
I will do the full shop at Aldi. I love the way they do Christmas. The four-bird roast is even better than I expected. The mini stollen are irresistible. Even the Christmas cards and wrapping paper are good, as are the stocking fillers and toys.

What's the best bargain you've ever picked up from Aldi?
Hard to say! I bought the DAB radio for £25, which is a winner, and the plants are always good. I'm committed to the Lacura skincare range: I'm currently loving the HLA products.

Aldi would love to hear your top tips on how to bag a Christmas bargain, or any other genius money-saving tips
I recommend getting the Aldi catalogue each week, so you know what to look out for, and visiting the store on Sundays and Thursdays when new stock is added.

Aldi's "specially selected" range is the same produce at least as good as the premium ranges in branded supermarkets, as are all the cooked meats. In fact, I dare say the cooked meats are better - it's a German company, of course they're good at delikatessen! Naice ham for your canapés Grin

Similarly, Aldi's chocolate and 'treats' such as the Florentines and the bags of filled wafer biscuits are miles better than what you get in other British supermarkets. I try not to tell too many people about the 90% chocolate at 99p for 5 individually wrapped 125g bars. It sells out quickly and when I want my fix, I want it now! So, everybody, DON'T LOOK at the pinky-purple pack! Another amazing treat in the same range is the dark chocolate with chilli. Scrumptious. Aldi's rip-off Mars, Snickers, Kit-Kats, etc, are indistinguishable from the real thing and much cheaper.

For budget present shopping, it's better not to have a fixed list. If you know what kind of things your loved ones want, browsing with an open mind will net you the best buys at Aldi as well as in markets and at discount sites - physical or online.

I would buy Aldi specials such as electronics, household goods and power tools as they come in store throughout the year, saving them for Christmas and birthdays. Not only are the prices very good on this sort of thing, the quality's outstanding as a rule.

More generally - households at Christmas seem to feature too much pastry and too little fresh stuff. I tend to resist the temptation to lay in 1,000 pies, replacing half the quantity with lovely fresh herb salads, big bowls of crudités and interesting selections of fruit. I'm not sure if this is a money-saving tip but it does liven up the jaded seasonal palate.

Best money-saving Christmas tip: Don't buy too many presents. For people who do the whole mountain of gifts thing, one really good gift and a load of well-chosen cheap things does the job well. Tubes of Smarties, nail buffing sets, packs of cards and suchlike are brilliant and show you've thought about what the recipient really likes. Don't buy presents for all your neighbours, all the other mums and all your DC's teachers. Make a batch of something - cakes if you're a baker, pretty mirrors if you're crafty, etc - and give them all the same. It's not cheap, it's charming :)

Blimey, is it nearly Christmas? Shock

honoraglossop · 08/11/2012 22:51

I do an online shop mainly. Ive been to local aldi a few times. I wasnt that impressed really- but looking at this thread maybe it was that I didnt know what i was looking for. I tend to buy sainsburys basics things so price wise not a lot in it.

I'm a bit tempted by the stollen though so may give that a go this year.

My main tip is not to buy so much stuff :) honestly make a list and stick to it and dont go crazy with loads of extra cakes/ sweets/ chocolate

fusspot66 · 08/11/2012 23:28

I have my eye on the chocolate Santa's and reindeer and coins. I like the European style of Christmas....Stollen etc. Was impressed by the chocolate coins being sterling this year. Usually try to steer past the temptations
....

StateofConfusion · 09/11/2012 01:03

We love aldi, shop there every week. We will do our christmas shop there.

Last years cheeses were fantastic, aldis mince pies are our favourite --weve already had 4 boxes the christmas chocolate lollys 'figures' etc are loved by my dcs. Nuts, crisps, crackers, pringles-- stackers, all lovely and great prices.
Always get our fruit and veg there, didn't personally like the 4 bird roast but it could have been from anywhere and I wouldn't have, all the family loved it though.

Love the random isle aswell, christmas slipper socks brought in 2010 still adored by the dcs, good wrapping paper too.

BoerWarKids · 09/11/2012 01:15

Yes, I'm a regular shopper in Aldi. I don't do my whole shop in one supermarket, I get bits and bobs throughout the week at various shops.

A particular Aldi favourite is the Manuka honey, cheaper than anywhere else I can find and delicious! I like the meat, cheese and yoghurts too.

Every year, I've loved the Christmas stuff in Aldi Smile
This year looks great, the Black Forest stollen looks amazing, will definitely pick one up! Also looking forward to trying the own-brand version of Bailey's Wink

EllenParsons · 09/11/2012 01:21

I'm not a regular aldi shopper now as I have recently moved to London and live fAirly central, where there are no Aldis. I use Tesco express most of the time as its the most convenient, but my local one is really small and rubbish so I will branch out elsewhere if I need specific stuff for Christmas - was thinking ocado maybe as they have some good offers online for new customers at the moment. I did use aldi quite often when I lived in a town in the north which had one convenient to me.

My aldi favourite is not food but the Lacura face serum! A bargain and really good quality. I normally go to my parents for Christmas and they shop at aldi and lidl and they seem to have loads of really nice bits and I like the fact it's a bit different to the standard products you always see.

To get bargains I will mainly just be looking for the offers in supermarkets and keeping aware of any deals online etc.

garlicbaguette · 09/11/2012 01:31

Oooh, BWK, the Baileys-alike is nice! I've had to give it up due to dairy intolerance ... but the £4.99 Amaretto is also pretty good with my coffee or cocoa :)

Glad you mentioned the honey. I don't stretch to Manuka, or I would, but have just finished a jar of the generic (not single flower) clear honey, which is gorgeous! If you'd told me it was a specialist variety, I'd have believed you.

Just realised non-Aldi aficionados won't have realised they do things like a choice of different single-crop honeys or various styles of ground coffee. (Sshh, don't tell 'em ... ) Cereals are really good, too, imo, especially the mueslis.

piprabbit · 09/11/2012 01:32

I buy stocking fillers from Aldi (chocolates, socks and that sort of stuff).
We also often do a hamper of treats for older family members and we mix in Aldi stuff with branded items to make our money go further (Especially spirites and the 'continental' type ranges of nibbles and stuff),

I never buy anything full price - I shop the internet carefully and always try and get the best value I can. I budget quite carefully when it comes to presents and if I can't find an expensive item reduced to being within budget - well I just have to change my plans and get something different.

I'm also happy to supplement the children's presents with second hand items from ebay or from our local NCT nearly new sale. Maybe not their main present - but extra bits of train set or lego or similar.

MrsBucketxx · 09/11/2012 08:14

i do all my shopping at aldi, and christmas is no exception.

i ♥ their 4 bird roast and it happily feed all of us for christmas.

the gingerbread houses taste great and look amazing as decorations too.
i love looking for all the deals for stocking fillers, kids books, warm socks for mum, the list goes on and on.
the baileys equivalent is awsome and stocked up for a few months over the winter

cant think of anything i dislike, only the parking i suppose and that its so packed. keep up the good work aldi.

economymode · 09/11/2012 08:20

Oh,I missed the free-range turkey option. I stand corrected. Well done Aldi!

maybeyoushoulddrive · 09/11/2012 09:39

We are quite far away from an Aldi so only shop there occasionally. My Dad shops there every week however and as we will be spending Christmas with him I think we'll probably be having quite an Aldi Christmas Grin

I like the fruit and veg - always way cheaper than tesco and good quality usually. Crisps etc always go down well and I love the 'anything' aisles - always pick up some bargains I don't need

Tip : spread the cost, buy bits when you see them. Amazing how quickly it all mounts up reasonably painlessly!

MissChristmastRee · 09/11/2012 10:10

Are you an Aldi shopper already? If so, are you planning to do your full Xmas shop there, or will you pick up specific bits and pieces from there?

I do shop at Aldi occasionally but our local one is relatively small so I don't do a "Big Shop" there, ever. I can't buy things like baby formula there but I LOVE the Mamia nappies so make a trip to Aldi every month just to stock up on them

I won't be doing my full Christmas shop in Aldo for the reasons mentioned above. It is rather small and doesn't stock everything I need.

What's the best bargain you've ever picked up from Aldi?

The best bargain I pick up from Aldi is most definitely the nappies. They are far superior to the premium brands like Huggies and Pampers and beat all of the other supermarket brands hands down. We very very rarely have leaks with Mamia but with the other brands we had daily leaks!!

If you've never shopped at Aldi before, why? Is there anything on the website that has convinced you to give it a go?

I do like to shop at Aldi and will be going there to buy cakes and things - they usually do some nice big Pannetone which we always have at Christmas.

cheekydevil · 09/11/2012 11:10

Am a regular Aldi shopper.
My favourites are the beef wellington which are much nicer and better value than the competition.
The Giant King Prawns with garlic and herb which Aldi inform me will be available again in March :( need them before then.
The dishwasher tablets which are approved by which
The chilli and cherry chocolate.
Tiger bread.
Low fat cholesterol lowering yoghurt drinks.
I have won 2 wine tasting evenings with their Pinot Noir.
Hopkins white rum.
Champagne Brandy (although that appears to have disappeared)
Their website, put a question on it and they answer it! Am just going to post the champagne brandy question me thinks....

Lio · 09/11/2012 12:39

I shop at Aldi about once every three weeks. We are visiting family for Christmas so I won't be doing the shopping at Christmas day but if Aldi want full feedback, the truth is I wouldn't shop there for Christmas day anyway. The reason I mostly use Waitrose is that I have more faith in them as an ethical business than I do any other supermarket, and since I would get the turkey from Waitrose I would also get the veg and what-not from there as well, just for the practical reason of doing it all in one place.

I go into Aldi every so often because I think some of their 'non-food' stuff (the revolving new stock) is excellent, like the cycling gear and gardening stuff I've picked up over the years. Best bargains were waterproof, warm coats for the children about 2 winters ago. Waterproof coats are in short supply elsewhere, which is kind of nuts but there you go.

While I'm there to look at the non-food stuff, I always plan to buy fruit and veg too as I think the quality of their fresh food is good and the prices are good. If we need other things e.g. bread, breakfast cereals, dishwasher tablets (i.e. a whole range of things) I will pick them up at the same time but probably not meat as (rightly or wrongly) I don't associate Aldi with free range and organic.

Leading up to Christmas I will very likely buy treats (sweets, biscuits, nuts) and alcohol at Aldi and think overall the quality and pricing is very good.

Happiestinwellybobs · 09/11/2012 12:53

I love the Aldi Thursday & Sunday specials - and recently picked up some stocking fillers. I love the fruit & veg and fresh meat too. Website for Christmas looks great - definitely tempted to buy our Christmas Day bird from Aldi this year.

And we are certainly having the chocolate bombs!!

garlicbaguette · 09/11/2012 13:18

Lio, I agree with you about Waitrose but Aldi operates to a much better ethical standard than we've come to expect from bargain stores. Neither Aldi nor Lidl use workfare staff - the only supermarkets, other than Waitrose, to opt out - and their pay & conditions are better than the others, too. A far higher proportion of Aldi produce is free-range, line-caught, ethically farmed, fairtrade, etc, than you might expect. I think they've only recently cottoned on that we care so much about these things. German regulations are stricter than ours so they make less of a song and dance about it than British firms.

No, I don't work for them!!

bumponboardagain · 09/11/2012 13:18

Are you an Aldi shopper already? If so, are you planning to do your full Xmas shop there, or will you pick up specific bits and pieces from there? What's the best bargain you've ever picked up from Aldi?

Yes! I Love Aldi and was converted this year. Finances were getting more and more stretched, so thought I'd give Aldi a go. I was really suprised at how good the quality was and the range on offer.

I am planning to do our full Christmas shop there this year. In fact, since I started shopping at Aldi in January, I have hardly set foot in another supermarket. We will be getting a turkey and a 4 bird roast from Aldi (we are having lots of family visiting over a number of days!)as well as all the fruit and veg, trimmings, treats and baking goods. I have already bought the childrens stocking fillers from Aldi.

When I started shopping at Aldi I felt, like others have said, that they didnt always stock what I wanted or I would need to go somewhere else to buy toiletries, cosmetics, washing powder etc. However financially, we got to a point were it was a case of try the Aldi stuff or do without. This is were I discovered my best ever bargains from Aldi! I love the Lacura range! The 3 in 1 face wipes (about 85p I think) and Q10 day cream (about £1.99 I think) are absolute bargains and my skin approves! Also, the shower gel, bubble bath, shampoo and conditioners etc are all fantastic for my whole family (including my husband who suffers eczema). Other regular bargains are the Super 6 deals. Fruit and veg in Aldi is great value and quality. This week we have stocked up on the Butternut squash, apples and clementines, all at 69p each, which are big favourites in our house.

I would have never even considered doing a full weekly let alone Christmas shop at Aldi before I tried it, but now I think anyone who shops else where and spends twice or three times as much as it would cost at Aldi is mad!!!

Top tips on how to bag a Christmas bargain, or any other genius money-saving tips

My top tips on how to bag a Christmas bargain is plan plan plan! If I see a bargain throughout the year that I think would be a good gift for someone at Christmas I buy it and put it away. I tend to often find nice toys, clothes, pjs etc in Aldi throughout the year which I pick up here and there for Christmas to help spread the cost. In October I also write a list of who I will be buying gifts for and how much I want to spend. I then make it my mission to spend less than planned! I set aside a day to trawl the internet looking at different sites that have offers on toys, toiletries etc and free delivery. I have bought a lot of stuff from three different websites which offered free delivery on any amount spent, excellent priced branded clothes and great deals on books.

I wish I had discovered Aldi sooner!

As you can see I love Aldi and would love to win that voucher!!!

Blatherskite · 09/11/2012 13:21

Thanks to this thread, I have today bought - Florentines, Dishwasher tablets, Chocolate Santas, Nappies and Wipes - and would have had a chocolate bombe too if I'd been able to find one - plus a dozen other items that caught my eye on the way round!

I'll be going back for Prosecco and Irish cream before Christmas too I think!

Blatherskite · 09/11/2012 13:32

Oh and I discovered Aldi nappies while doing the trial for Mumsnet so thank you for doing that

Kewcumber · 09/11/2012 13:47

I love aldi. (Does that make me more likely to win?)

Christmas specially selected mince pies are divine, easily as good as M&S (I'd even go as far as to say better) the chocolate reindeers also fab